Relational Alchemy Psychology Services

No matter where you have been, evidence-based therapies are flexible, valuable, and focus on changing now.

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Relational Services

Connection / Value / Communication / Fulfillment / Meaning / Self & Other / Systemic / Sexuality / Intimacy / Kink

Our relationships shape how we think, feel, and act. Some uplift us, while others weigh heavily—sometimes in obvious ways, other times as subtle tensions we can't quite name. These dynamics can quietly influence our choices and sense of self. Relational therapy, with two or more people in the room, focuses on improving connection, reaching shared goals, and building a deeper sense of meaning together.

I provide couples/family/relational therapy for adolescents and adults both in the context of their relationships as well as through relationship-focused therapy for individuals who want to improve their interpersonal lives. I believe in using relationship therapy that works. I practice evidence-based therapy, which means I use therapeutic practices that have been studied and supported by empirical research studies.

We’re a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, CNM- and kink-informed practice—and we also support individuals and couples seeking healthy, long-term monogamous relationships. If you’re curious whether we’re the right fit for your needs, we welcome your questions—just ask!

See:

  • How do we know if my partner(s) and I need couples' counseling or couples' sex therapy?


    Research consistently shows that satisfaction in romantic relationships is closely linked to overall life satisfaction and even improved physical health. On the other hand, relational distress can contribute to a range of emotional, psychological, and physical challenges.

    Relationship therapy isn't just for when things fall apart—it can also be a proactive way to cultivate joy, connection, resilience, and lasting intimacy. Couples counseling and sex therapy can provide valuable support during times of transition, disconnection, or stress. Whether you're feeling stuck, navigating conflict, or simply wanting to deepen your understanding of one another, therapy offers tools to build (or rebuild) a secure, thriving partnership.

    Starting counseling before a crisis escalates—especially in the case of ongoing conflict, betrayal, or emotional distance—can help prevent further pain and accelerate the process of healing and repair.

    Therapy can also support couples navigating separation. Whether you’re parting ways or redefining your relationship through co-parenting, amicable breakups, or divorce, therapy provides a space for clarity, compassion, thoughtful decision-making, and parting gracefully.

    No one deserves to stay in a harmful or toxic relationship. Therapy can help you identify patterns of abuse or dysfunction—whether in romantic, familial, workplace, or friendship dynamics—and empower you to set healthy boundaries, make informed decisions, and create a life aligned with safety, healing, and self-respect.

  • Is it too late to try relationship therapy?


    Due to the stigma around couples therapy and the myth that only couples on the brink of breaking up go to couples therapy, it’s not uncommon for couples to start couples work when they are already at their wit’s end. If you’re at this point, it's likely that there has been some impact on the relationship -- some things can't be unsaid-- however, that certainly doesn’t mean that all hope is lost.

    For many couples, the sensitive nature of couples therapy creates the intimacy required to get the relationship back on track. This can include working on improving communication, increasing intimacy, discussing mismatched libidos, addressing dishonesty, affairs or other barriers that prevent a couple from feeling fully safe in the relationship.

    As long as everyone in the relationship is willing to come to session with an open mind and heart, couples therapy can help. It’s never too late to start. Depending on the depth of the dissatisfaction, unhappiness or resentment, for some couples the time in therapy is spent on reaching a decision about staying together or ending the relationship.

    When parents separate or divorce, one of the most important decisions they will make is how to divide parenting responsibilities and to support their children. We can also begin this work together. I have experience with custody evaluations and co-parenting therapy.

    You deserve relationships that support your growth, reflect your values, and bring peace into your life.

Relational Services:

Relational Services can focus on:

  • COMMUNICATION
    Frequent arguments, the same dance, constantly bringing up blame for past hurts, stonewalling, defensiveness, invalidation
  • TRUST
    Difficulty in trusting one another, recovering from betrayal/infidelity
  • INTIMACY
    Fear of emotional and physical intimacy, vulnerability, talking about emotions, unresolved trauma or early relational wounds affecting current dynamics
  • CONNECTION
    Differences in how connection is expressed, aloneness in the relationship, struggle finding ways to connect, lack of shared emotional experiences, feeling like you’re roommates- not partners
  • SEXUALITY
    Loss of libido, different levels of sexual desire, sexual dissatisfaction, mindful sex, orientation concerns, sex feels like a chore, routine, or emotionally disconnected
  • OPENNESS
    Explore sexuality and new relationship structures, find transcendental experiences, novelty, working through difficult beliefs, creating new values
  • PASSION
    Hugs, kisses, cuddles, and small gestures of affection diminish or disappear; loss of the spark; there's desire for novelty or fantasy, but it's unspoken or repressed
  • SUPPORT
    Difficulty asking for support, being a people pleaser, offering resources or solutions when asked, daily tasks, celebrating wins, supporting each other’s goals, careers, and growth—even when it's inconvenient
  • FAMILY
    Disagreements in parenting, finances, caretaking, deviding responsibilities, losing a parent, and difficult family relationships
  • PARENTING
    Expecting a baby, transition to parenthood, co-parenting, blended families
  • FAMILY OF ORIGIN
    Unresolved childhood issues impacting the relationship, current family of origin issues, coming out
  • TRANSITIONING
    Exploring the impact of shifting/changing gender identity/exploration and meaning while in a relationship; communicating with your partner around goals, gender dysphoria, dead naming, physical changes, etc.

Where do we start?

When we start working together for couples/intimate relationship therapy, I like to spend a few sessions getting to know you all.

First Session. I like to share about the therapy process and the models we will be using. I also want to learn more about your relationship history and what prompted you to reach out to me for therapy support.

Individual Sessions. I like to schedule an individual session with each of you to spend more time getting to know you and your hopes for your relationship. I also find it helpful to learn about your family background and personal history, because these factors play an important role in our relational/couple's therapy.

Back Together. I will share my thoughts and reflections about why you find yourselves stuck in your negative patterns, and I will offer my suggestions and recommendations about how we can move forward in therapy.

  • I'm curious about Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM)...

    There are many valid and fulfilling ways to build a relationship—and consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is one of them. CNM is not just a structure, but a set of intentional values centered around openness, honesty, mutual consent, and ongoing communication.

    If you’re curious about or already exploring CNM, therapy can offer a thoughtful, nonjudgmental space to navigate the complex emotional and relational questions that may arise. These include trust, identity, boundaries (as flexible agreements rather than rigid rules), conflict resolution, and the experience of compersion—the joy we can feel from our partner’s joy.

    Sex-positive, affirming therapy supports honest conversations about desires, curiosity, excitement, and connection. Whether you’re just beginning to consider CNM or seeking guidance through challenges, we can work together to strengthen trust, improve communication, and create relational agreements that are rooted in respect, clarity, and care.

    This work is about understanding yourself, your partner(s), and the kind of relationship(s) that feel most authentic to you—all while fostering connection, healing, growth, and novel peek experiences.

  • Digital Relationships and Ghosting...

    In the world of modern dating, ghosting—when someone abruptly cuts off all contact without explanation—has become an all-too-common experience. One moment, you’re exchanging messages and building a connection; the next, they’ve disappeared without a word. This kind of rejection can be disorienting and painful, leaving you questioning yourself and what went wrong. The silence can feel more painful than words, leaving you with unanswered questions and a lingering sense of confusion. Ghosting provides no possibility of closure or empathy, making it difficult to process and move forward. It can disrupt your sense of trust, make you second-guess your instincts, and lead you to question your self-worth. Over time, these experiences can shape how you relate to others and even how you see yourself.

    In therapy, we can gently explore the emotional impact of these moments, help you make sense of what happened, and—most importantly—challenge any painful beliefs that may have taken root in their wake. Together, we’ll work to rebuild your trust in yourself, and reimagine what healthy, mutual connection can look like moving forward.

What is Betrayal Trauma?

Betrayal trauma occurs when there is a profound breach of trust in an important relationship—often one we depend on for safety, love, or support. Psychologist Jennifer Freyd introduced Betrayal Trauma Theory to describe how the experience of betrayal, especially within close relationships, can lead to symptoms that mirror those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Betrayal trauma often stems from events that shake the very foundation of trust and emotional security in a relationship. Examples may include:

  • Emotional or sexual infidelity
  • Discovering deception or hidden truths
  • Financial dishonesty or manipulation
  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse—especially from someone close

These experiences can leave lasting emotional wounds, impacting how safe, seen, or valued you feel in relationships. They can also lead to symptoms such as anxiety, hypervigilance, numbness, shame, or disconnection—not just from others, but from yourself.

My approach integrates trauma-informed and relationship-focused therapy to help you process the emotional impact of betrayal, understand how it may be affecting your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and move toward restoring a sense of trust—both in yourself and in future relationships. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

See Expertise in:

Sex Therapy

Sex therapy is a specialized form of talk therapy that focuses on the emotional, psychological, and relational aspects of sex and sexuality. Just like individual or couples therapy, sessions are conversation-based and confidential, but with a specific emphasis on the things that shape your sexual well-being—your thoughts, desires, fears, relationships, and the meaning you’ve learned to attach to sex.

You can attend sex therapy on your own or with a partner. Many people come in feeling alone or ashamed of the concerns they’ve been experiencing—yet the truth is, sexual difficulties are incredibly common. Research shows that 43% of women and 31% of men experience some form of sexual dysfunction in their lifetime. These struggles can show up as erectile dysfunction, pain during sex, mismatched desire between partners, difficulty reaching orgasm, or a general loss of intimacy and sexual connection. They can also include performance anxiety, shame, or unresolved trauma that gets in the way of enjoying sex at all.

In therapy, we explore how these challenges are rooted in real emotional and relational experiences. We may look at how early messages, religious or cultural beliefs, or past trauma shape how you see yourself sexually. For couples, we work to understand how emotional closeness (or distance) impacts physical intimacy. Sometimes sexual concerns are really communication concerns, or symptoms of stress, anxiety, or burnout.

Because sexuality involves both mind and body, I use an integrative approach that draws from evidence-based frameworks like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), the Masters & Johnson model, somatic awareness, and mindfulness-based practices. I often assign home-based exercises that clients complete in private, such as communication exercises, intimacy-building activities, body awareness work, sensate focus, or values clarification tasks. These help reinforce the work we do in session and bring it into your real-life relationship or experience.

Additionally, we may need to work in concert with your general practitioner, psychiatrist, or other medical professionals along side our talk-based interventions. Talk-based sex therapy addresses the emotional, psychological, and relational roots of sexual concerns, creating deeper and longer-lasting change than medication or medical interventions alone. While psychiatric or medical treatments can bolster our work together and may offer short-term symptom relief, sex therapy fosters insight, connection, and sustainable growth by targeting the underlying patterns that shape sexual well-being.

Sex therapy requires specialized training, and it's important to work with someone who understands the clinical, relational, and physical complexities of sexual health. As a Ph.D.-level psychologist that also has a Masters in Marriage and Family therapy, I have had focused expertise in this area for over a decade. I bring both scientific knowledge and a deeply compassionate approach to each session. Whether you’re navigating trauma, differences in desire, religious or cultural conflicts, or the loneliness that can come from feeling disconnected from your body or your partner, you don’t have to do it alone.

Sexuality is a core part of who you are. When something in this part of life feels stuck, painful, or out of reach, it can impact your sense of self. But with support, healing is possible—and so is reconnecting with your sense of confidence, intimacy, and pleasure.

Sex therapy can help you with:

  • Healing from sexual trauma
  • Low libido or no interest in sex
  • Difficulty reaching orgasm
  • Re-defining what healthy sexuality means to you
  • Sex "addiction," porn "addiction," risky sex, or other addictive challenge affecting your sex life
  • Sexual dysfunctions (ED, vaginismus and more)
  • Sexual shame, guilt or repression
  • Understanding your sexual orientation
  • Sex during pregnancy and after childbirth
  • Sex during perimenopause and menopause
  • Sexual confidence
  • Kink, BDSM, and fetishes
  • Sex-work concerns
  • Erectile dysfunction + early (premature) ejaculation
  • Painful intercourse or other pain during sex
  • Concerns about arousal or mismatched libidos
  • Sexual desire & improving sexual satisfaction
  • Improving communication about sex
  • Differences in sexual preferences

Trauma-Focused Couples Therapy

There are evidence-based couples therapies that navigate interpersonal relationships struggling with trauma (and depression) experienced by one or both partners. I have specific expertise in treating relationship distress related to the impacts of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, discrimination, and trauma.

See:

  • Expertise in Trauma-Focused Therapy

    • Investment

    Research suggests that greater satisfaction in your romantic relationship is significantly associated with greater general life satisfaction and even positive physical health outcomes. Distressing relationships are associated with a range of physical, emotional, and psychological problems. Relational therapy can serve as a preventative approach to build resiliency, strength, joy, and commitment for lifelong success. It is a unique opportunity to invest in the health of your relationship as well as your own wellbeing.

    ​ Many therapists will state that they provide relationship counseling but often have never had specific training in couples therapy. Couples therapy is very different from individual therapy, even though it can appear to use the same concepts and skills. Choosing a therapist with specific couples/relational training is important. I am very selective about the couples I work with-- focusing on fit and expertise. I take your time and effort very seriously, and I expect each Client I work with to likewise make the same commitment to our sessions.